BEIJING — His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik concluded a landmark state visit to China on Monday with a record package of investment agreements and partnerships worth billions of dollars, alongside commitments to deepen strategic cooperation and support peace and stability in the Middle East.

The Oman Investment Authority described the package as its largest concluded in a single day, with most projects planned for Oman. It includes joint investment funds, a proposed $1 billion battery storage programme, a $418.7 million mining services contract and partnerships in renewable energy, manufacturing, logistics and space technology.

The authority did not disclose a consolidated value for the package, which comprises contracts, preliminary term sheets, framework agreements and memoranda of understanding.

The two-day visit, the first by an Omani head of state since diplomatic relations were established in 1978, included talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang and an investment conference bringing together sovereign wealth funds, financial institutions and businesses.

OIA President His Excellency Abdulsalam bin Mohammed Al Murshidi said the agreements marked a shift from trade towards joint investment intended to diversify Oman’s economy, create jobs and develop advanced industries under Oman Vision 2040.

His Majesty and Xi separately witnessed the signing of a currency swap agreement between the countries’ central banks and 14 memoranda of understanding and cooperation protocols.

A joint statement outlined plans to strengthen cooperation in oil and gas, renewable energy, energy storage, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure and space, while supporting closer alignment between China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Oman Vision 2040.

It also called for progress towards completing a free trade agreement between China and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Regional security featured prominently in the talks. Xi said the Middle East and Gulf should not become an arena for major-power rivalry and geopolitical conflict, and expressed readiness to strengthen coordination with Arab and Gulf countries to restore lasting peace and stability.

The joint statement praised Oman’s role in supporting dialogue, resolving differences and promoting regional stability.

His Majesty described the visit as a new starting point in bilateral relations, calling for a deeper partnership built on joint investment, knowledge transfer and stronger technological and productive capabilities.

He said Chinese companies’ direct investments in Oman, in partnership with OIA, had exceeded 33 billion yuan over recent years.

Funds to channel investment into Oman

The 23 agreements and partnerships announced by OIA were signed at the Oman–China “Investment Partnership Horizons” conference, organised with Bank of China and China Investment Corporation.

Among them was a preliminary term sheet with the Silk Road Fund for an $800 million joint fund, with most capital intended for investment in Oman and the remainder for China and emerging markets.

Another preliminary term sheet with China Merchants Bank provides for a second $300 million fund, financed equally by the partners, following their first fund established in 2019.

OIA also announced $200 million funds with IDG Capital and Templewater, and a $250 million fund with EWP Partners. Additional investment commitments bring the wider Templewater and EWP partnerships to $260 million and approximately $275 million respectively.

The partnerships target clean energy, digital technology, smart manufacturing, utilities and opportunities linking Chinese businesses with Oman’s economy.

Further agreements with China Investment Corporation, Bank of China, China International Capital Corporation, China International Marine Containers and HongShan seek to expand investment cooperation and business opportunities.

Energy, mining and logistics
Nama Holding and State Grid International Development Limited signed a framework agreement for battery storage projects in Duqm and Ibri worth approximately $1 billion.

With a combined capacity of 1 gigawatt, the proposed projects would connect to the national electricity transmission network, supporting grid reliability and renewable energy integration.

OIA also signed preliminary terms with PCG and Hoymiles for a $100 million partnership to develop solar projects and establish a solar inverter manufacturing facility in Oman.

O-Green and Shanghai Electric Wind Power Group agreed on a strategic partnership covering wind energy engineering and manufacturing, including a joint research centre and turbine testing site linked to the Mawarid Turbines factory in Duqm.

The partnership envisages indicative research spending of $10 million to $20 million, with potential future contractual opportunities exceeding $1 billion. It also covers green ammonia development and the examination of preliminary investment opportunities worth more than $200 million.

In mining, Minerals Development Oman signed a 10-year, RO161 million contract with Hongda International for integrated mining services at the Mazoon Copper and Gold Project in Yanqul.

Asyad Group and JD.com agreed to develop logistics facilities, starting with three distribution warehouses at Muscat Airport Free Zone, Khazaen Economic City and Sohar Free Zone, and explore links serving Gulf and East African markets.

Technology and skills
Digital cooperation includes memoranda involving the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, Omantel and WPS companies covering government digital transformation and advanced computing infrastructure.

Oman Lens and Star.Vision Aerospace signed agreements covering satellite development, research and training, including scholarships for 30 Omanis, training for 1,000 specialists and a joint space artificial intelligence laboratory.

An initial phase предусматриes seven satellites, alongside plans for a satellite assembly, integration and testing centre in Oman and the gradual development of local manufacturing.

The broader government agreements cover green investment, financial regulation, central bank digital currencies, BeiDou satellite navigation applications, environmental protection and requirements for Omani dried date exports to China.

The joint statement also welcomed Oman’s accession as a founding member of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation and pledged stronger military, security, judicial, cultural, educational, tourism and civil aviation ties.

In talks with Li, His Majesty urged faster project implementation, easier investment procedures, greater private-sector participation and wider access for Omani products to Chinese markets.

His Majesty left China on Monday for a three-day state visit to Brunei Darussalam.